According to data from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), about 160,000 migrants arrived in the country through the immigration parole program in the first half of the year.
The program allows Venezuelans, Haitians, Cubans and Nicaraguans to legally enter the U.S. through a qualified sponsor and other process requirements. The move was announced on Jan. 5 in a bid to stem the flow of migrants at the border with Mexico.
Monthly, 30,000 entry places are offered to migrants from Venezuela, Haiti, Cuba and Nicaragua who meet the requirements. However, people who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border without documents after the measure was announced are ineligible for conditional immigration and will be subject to expulsion to Mexico.
According to DHS, from January to June 2023, of the roughly 160,000 migrants who had arrived in the U.S., at least 35,000 were Cubans, out of 38,000 who received approval to travel, 50,000 were Haitians, out of 63,000 with permission, 21,500 Nicaraguans, out of about 29,500 authorized, and 48,500 were Venezuelans, out of 58,000 with permission to travel to the country.
According to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the number of migrants who tried to enter the country irregularly through the border with Mexico fell in June, when 144,571 people were registered. The number represents a 30 percent drop from May, when more than 206,000 migrants attempted the crossing.
The drop in numbers is mainly due to the fall of Title 42 in May, which barred asylum claims but also barred deportations, allowing migrants to try to re-enter the U.S. after being detained at the border. With the change, Title 8 came to apply, which allows asylum claims, but also allows deportations, which can prevent entry into the country for up to 10 years.
By Amanda Almeida, from the Communication Team
